Loophole Lets Travelers Sneak Western Food Into Russia Despite Ban

Aug. 8, 2014

Those wringing their hands over the import ban in Russia of many food items from the EU, U.S. and several other countries have one small consolation: They should still be able to bring in their favorite foreign foods from abroad for personal consumption.

Under the ban announced Wednesday, goods purchased abroad for personal consumption will not be restricted, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in comments carried by RIA Novosti on Thursday.

The allowance of goods for personal consumption seems to be the ban's only saving grace: Beef, pork, fruit and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and other dairy products from the European Union, the U.S., Australia, Canada and Norway will be stricken from menus and removed from grocery stores across the nation.

Restaurants and stores across Russia on Friday engaged in damage control after President Vladimir Putin banned imported foods from countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.